Revolvers .357 Magnum

[Confederate]

Budget and intended use? Do you want new-production only, with easily accessible customer service, or would you look at older guns that, to varying degrees, could be difficult to service, should the need arise? There's a vast range of options.I f you want the finest DA .357 Magnum revolvers ever made, then you're looking at Ratzeburg-made Korth Sports and Combats and Mulhouse-made Manurhin MR73s, with a well-preserved example of any of them coming in at several times the cost of a new S&W or Ruger. If you want the finest DA revolver currently made, you're looking at the aesthetically challenged Lollar-made Korths (imported by Nighthawk). There also are the K-frame S&W Model 19 and 66 (and others), but these are smaller and lighter revolvers, just like your Model 10. Many of them will not hold up very well to a steady diet of full-power .357 Mag. ammo. In recent-production guns, S&W eliminated the flat gas-ring clearance cut on the bottom of the barrel at the forcing cone, thus strengthening the barrels and increasing longevity. You'll have to determine whether they are too light to make pleasant shooters.

The Ruger Security-Six is about the same size and weight as the S&W 66/19. And here's something else. The Security-Six revolvers sometimes have clearances cut into its forcing cones. But they shoot tens of thousands of rounds without forcing cone breakages. I've seen some that are so black with soot from shootings and yet they aren't cracked. Yet they're about the same size. That said, yeah, I’ve seen some Rugers that do have cracked forcing cones, but they've been shot with many hot hand loads that also have cut into the top straps. No problem with the Rugers, but the forcing cones aren't usually cracked, even with the 6'oclock cuts. So why are the S&W 66 forcing cones cracked and not the Ruger's?







The Ruger Security-Six is a great gun because they wear almost forever. Gun writer Skeeter Skelton said he knew of three Security-Six revolvers, each of which had some 300K of magnum loads (most likely factory) through them. One was a little out of time, but, he said, they were completely shootable condition.

66-2. Any way you go - go S&W pre-lock.

Locks are an eye sore, but they don't affect the shootability. Some people put a drop of Super-Glue in the lock holes and toss the keys, but the internal firing pins are seen by many as an improvement. I have a S&W 686-no dash that's beautiful. And it's got class. But the new ones with the locks are arguably better.

OP- If you shop around, ask around or shoot around, I think your 357 sweetheart will FIND YOU! What we tell you on THR wont make anything feel better in your hand or shoot more accurately for you...take the Ruger vs. Smith opinionators with a small grain of salt. Theyre both going to serve you well.

True. So true. As my dear old departed daddy used to always say, "Marry whoever you want. Just remember, you're gonna have to sleep with her the rest of your life."

 

[brutus51]

Well bc1023 those are some pretty nice revolvers, I've never handled one or even seen one other than in photo's but I do know they cost a lot and that they are not American made. On the other hand that 3.5" Pre 27 sure is pretty and unlike the Korth makes me green with envy.
Recently got back into the .357 Magnum, have had a 6" Colt Python for over 45 years but quit shooting full house mag's out of it about 20 years ago, still it's the most accurate handgun I've ever owned. After doing a good deal of research I decided to go with the new Dan Wesson 715.
Can't say it was a poor choice, very accurate, built like a tank and has the ability to switch barrels. Bought it with a 6" barrel and have since added a 4" and 8" which makes it quite versatile.

 

[billtool]

The Ruger Security-Six is about the same size and weight as the S&W 66/19. And here's something else. The Security-Six revolvers sometimes have clearances cut into its forcing cones. But they shoot tens of thousands of rounds without forcing cone breakages. I've seen some that are so black with soot from shootings and yet they aren't cracked. Yet they're about the same size. That said, yeah, I’ve seen some Rugers that do have cracked forcing cones, but they've been shot with many hot hand loads that also have cut into the top straps. No problem with the Rugers, but the forcing cones aren't usually cracked, even with the 6'oclock cuts. So why are the S&W 66 forcing cones cracked and not the Ruger's?

View attachment 968520

View attachment 968521

View attachment 968522

The Ruger Security-Six is a great gun because they wear almost forever. Gun writer Skeeter Skelton said he knew of three Security-Six revolvers, each of which had some 300K of magnum loads (most likely factory) through them. One was a little out of time, but, he said, they were completely shootable condition.


Locks are an eye sore, but they don't affect the shootability. Some people put a drop of Super-Glue in the lock holes and toss the keys, but the internal firing pins are seen by many as an improvement. I have a S&W 686-no dash that's beautiful. And it's got class. But the new ones with the locks are arguably better.


True. So true. As my dear old departed daddy used to always say, "Marry whoever you want. Just remember, you're gonna have to sleep with her the rest of your life."

Great post!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

SteadyD asked: I notice that your 627 is one during the frame transition that makes the hammer stick out a bit farther than the frame. Does this allow for extra ingress for dirt or debris?

I never had a problem with that but it could happen I would think.

 

[Confederate]

I don't like the SP101 just as a gun, but it'd be my choice for a "packer" 357. It's about the smallest possible revolver in that caliber that still makes sense to shoot.

YES, the idiotic gun makers add so much weight to their guns that carrying them it's a burden. You want to carry a .357 for miles in the wilderness, you have to carry an SP-101. We have the technology to build lightweight .357s for carrying while hiking, camping, hunting and fishing, yet they don't do it. Hunters many times add scopes to their .357s, so why do gun makers add heavy underlugs that do nothing but add weight to their guns. Who, in the wilderness, wants to haul around a S&W 686 in a 4- or 6-inch barrel?

Longer is better with 357s, as the round really wakes up out of longer barrels, and the revolvers only get more accurate as their sight radius extends and their heavier barrels flip less. It's basically a question of how much handgun you can stand to hold up, as the full underlugs really start getting heavy. I have a 4" GP100 and a 6" 586, and the Smith absolutely shoots up to its reputation, but the shorter Ruger ends up seeing more range time.

YES, so why do Colt, S&W and Ruger all have these heavy underlugs? And while S&W and Ruger offers their heavy guns without underlugs, those guns without the underlugs sell out so fast they rarely spend much time on dealer's shelves (at least in my neck of the woods). In fact, if I were them, I'd shave even more steel off their guns.

As I've said many times, underlugs are a sore spot with me. If you recall those early S&W Model 10s with the skinny barrels, or if you can imagine the skinny barrels found on early Colt .38Spc pistols, that's the kind of barrel I want on my S&W or Ruger .357 for carrying when every ounce one carries makes a difference.


Now this is the king of barrel I want on my S&W 686 or Ruger GPs!

--

 

[Walkalong]

Awesome little gun. 2 1/2" 686

 

[fxvr5]

We have the technology to build lightweight .357s for carrying while hiking, camping, hunting and fishing, yet they don't do it.

Sure they do. You been hiding under a rock? Ever heard of Scandium?

 

[Targa]

There plenty of small, light weight .357’s on the market. Here is one of many examples that are light enough I do not want to shoot a .357 through it....https://ruger.com/products/lcr/specSheets/5450.html

 

[brutus51]

Shot some +P 38 specials out of my cousins LCR, wasn't fun.

 

[Dave T]

Confederate,

After they sell one lightweight, pencil barrel 357 Magnum to you, who are they going to sell the rest of the production run to? No offense but the market for such a gun is quite small and it's already being met by the Scandium and Titanium offerings already out there.

Dave

 

[WheelGunMan]

Shot some +P 38 specials out of my cousins LCR, wasn't fun.

I have a LCR357 which has a steel frame. Weighs 17 oz, and I shoot a steady diet of .38 Spcl +P`s from it with minimal flinch. Maybe it's the steel frame changing the center of gravity or the added 3.6 oz that does a lot to mitigate the recoil

 

[bc1023]

No you don't, Your arrogance gets in the way,

Lol that’s cool too

To each their own. If you think a clunky Ruger is the end all be all of strong revolvers, more power to you. You’ll save a lot of money that way and what you don’t know won’t hurt you. Ignorance is bliss sometimes.

...and yes, I’ve owned a ton of Rugers.

 

[Walkalong]

I love my "clunky" Redhawk (Not .357), which is very smooth after slicking up, but yea, the look and feel of something like a Freedom Arms or a Korth etc is wonderful, most of us just can't afford a safe full of them. I had a FA for awhile, and it was awesome, but finally sold it to fund other things. I do miss it though.

 

[Walkalong]

Another one I sold, just didn't shoot it well, which is weird, I shoot my Colt OMM very well.

Colt .357

 

[bc1023]

I love my "clunky" Redhawk (Not .357), which is very smooth after slicking up, but yea, the look and feel of something like a Freedom Arms or a Korth etc is wonderful, most of us just can't afford a safe full of them. I had a FA for awhile, and it was awesome, but finally sold it to fund other things. I do miss it though.

I like Rugers as well. I'm just saying they aren't the only strong revolvers around and some do it a heck of a lot better.

Beautiful FA you had there.

I've got a couple myself, including this big 83 in 357. Extremely accurate handgun...

 

[WheelGunMan]

Lol that’s cool too

To each their own. If you think a clunky Ruger is the end all be all of strong revolvers, more power to you. You’ll save a lot of money that way and what you don’t know won’t hurt you. Ignorance is bliss sometimes.

...and yes, I’ve owned a ton of Rugers.

Hah.. you still don't get it!

 

[bc1023]

Hah.. you still don't get it!

I didn't read the entire thread, but you asked what more could you want in a revolver. I answered.

I'm not a huge revolver guy, but I know the upper end of the spectrum. I've also been shooting them 35 years and have had my share of lower end models, such as Ruger and the like.

 

[2ndtimer]

I didn't read the entire thread, but you asked what more could you want in a revolver. I answered.

I'm not a huge revolver guy, but I know the upper end of the spectrum. I've also been shooting them 35 years and have had my share of lower end models, such as Ruger and the like.

If you think Ruger are lower end revolvers, it is obvious you never had the “pleasure” of owning a Llama or Arminius.

 

[Walkalong]

If you think Ruger are lower end revolvers, it is obvious you never had the “pleasure” of owning a Llama or Arminius.

Hey, he's got a point there.

 

[bc1023]

If you think Ruger are lower end revolvers, it is obvious you never had the “pleasure” of owning a Llama or Arminius.

Those are entry level

 

[Mohican1]

Then you are probably looking for J-Frame size .357s. Like a model 60 or 640.

Or a Ruger SP101. Affordable and very durable.

 

[JUNNY C.]

So, I'm fantasizing about future firearms to add to the collection. I have no immediate plans, but would like to add a .357 at some point. Looking for suggestions.

The only revolver I have is a S&W 10-7, .38 Special - and I like it, but the service grips are a bit small and the trigger guard kind of pounds my hand a bit. I put some aftemarket grips to try, but it lowers the grip, and it made it easier to shoot, but I was not a fan of the added muzzle flip that came with it.

Knowing this - what are some .357 Magnum revovlers I might want to look at.

You can't go wrong with a Blzckhawk.

 

[Legionnaire]

I like Rugers. If I could only own one handgun, it would be a 4-inch GP100. But I'm not restricted to one. I have an SP101 in the carry rotation, and also very much like the fixed-sight 3-inch GP100.

 

[Mohican1]

I like Rugers. If I could only own one handgun, it would be a 4-inch GP100. But I'm not restricted to one. I have an SP101 in the carry rotation, and also very much like the fixed-sight 3-inch GP100.

View attachment 969550

I too like the SP/GP platform very much and have a few. But my favorites are the Ruger Speed Six, Service Six and Security Six's in that order. Getting very scarce here used. Especially the Speed or Service six models.

 

[WheelGunMan]

What I like and desire in a handgun might not appeal to you. My advice is to find someone or somewhere that has different firearms for you to hold and handle. When you pick up the one that's going to be in your future... you'll know that the instant it goes in your hand. It'll feel comfortable and "just so right" as it rides in your palm. Once you've found that one, then do a little research on it and the manufacturer's reputation for reliability and warranty. Once all that has been answered to your satisfaction...BUY IT!